Three rare 1950s Ferrari competition cars to grace Hampton Court Palace
Three of the rarest 1950s Ferrari competition cars will be the star attractions at September’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.
The trio of Ferraris will be joined at the event by 60 of the world’s rarest cars from leading private collections around the world as part of the main concours display. Hundreds of other classic cars will add to the numbers for spectators to check out as part of the wider event.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the three Ferraris from the Prancing Horse’s formative racing period, two of which are 212 Export models and one of which is the final of its kind ever to be built.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Barchetta
The first of two 212 Export models, and potentially the best, is the chassis 0098E 1951 Vignale Barchetta, originally delivered to Pietro d’Acquarone - one of Italy’s richest men at the time.
Just 27 of the 212 Exports were built between 1951 and 1952, with most of them used in competition. Cars were bodied as both Berlinettas and Barchettas by prestigious coachbuilders, including Touring, Fontana, Motto and Vignale. Vignale produced just four examples in the Barchetta configuration, although this particular example began life as a Berlinetta before being transformed by Vignale into a Barchetta.
Chassis 0098E retains its original engine, gearbox, suspension, and Similpelle beige interior fitted in the 1950s, along with the original owner’s manual and toolkit. It was comprehensively stored in 2016 and purchased two years later by its current owner. In more recent years, chassis 0098E has taken part in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Modena Cento Ore and Mille Miglia.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet
The other 212 Export is chassis 0106E, an even rarer example as one of only two 212 Export Cabriolets ever completed by Vignale.
It was acquired in 1961 as the first Ferrari of David Clarke, a renowned Ferrari enthusiast and dealer. Clarke preserved the car’s original features throughout 40 years of ownership. Chassis 0106E was then passed between a series of collectors and recently underwent a thorough and precise restoration at Motion Products, Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin, where it was also returned to its factory colours and appearance for the first time in over 50 years.
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spyder Series II
Chassis 0390 MM was the 31st and final Ferrari 250 MM ever built and was delivered in December 1953 to Spanish aristocrat and famous racing driver Alfonso de Portago. It was then raced at Buenos Aires and Sebring by de Portago alongside Harry Schell, with new paintwork in the colours of Spain being applied after its shipment from Maranello to Argentina.
An impressive 2nd place finish at the Buenos Aires 1000km in January 1954 prepared it for a gruelling race at the Sebring 12 Hours. It then went on to enjoy an active competition career across American racetracks throughout the 1950s, racing at locations like Kansas City’s Fairfax Municipal Airport, California’s March Air Force Base and other Sports Car Club of America events.
A lightweight construction, three Weber carburettors and a competition-tuned engine prepared it for the rigours of racing, with the model being the culmination of everything Ferrari had learned and worked on during those crucial early years of competition.
The car has gone on to have several owners across several continents, and in more recent times, it has competed in historic events, including multiple appearances at the famous Mille Miglia.
The 2025 Concours of Elegance takes place at Hampton Court Palace from the 5th to 7th of September.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Concours of Elegance